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Walking Holidays in the Balkans

Walking Holidays in the Balkans

Few other regions in the world offer such a diverse and unspoilt nature, rich history and friendly people like the Balkan peninsula in South-eastern Europe. Their turbulent past long forgotten, the Balkans are becoming Europe’s new adventure playground for a reason. Choose your self guided walking holiday in the Balkans from the list below.

When Peter Duncan took up a friend’s invitation to make his first visit to the Balkans, he was faced with an abundance of surprises. He happily admits: “Whilst I had visited many other regions of the world, this was a part of Europe, almost on my doorstep, which I knew so little about”.

Peter’s initial visit revealed to him the area’s immense potential as a self-guided hiking or adventure holiday destination, as well as the opportunity to discover its rich and ancient culture.

This is the region where it all started – and still the Balkans remain a special place for us.

Undiscovered national parks, hidden valleys, ancient castles, walled towns, timeless villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wonderful culture and sweeping views of the Ionian Sea – Albania’s charming south has it all. This walking holiday offers that rare opportunity to step back in time and hike along footpaths off the beaten track.

Experience European hiking as it used to be. This is a walking tour for intrepid travellers who are eager to discover the beauty of the Albanian Accursed Mountains at their own pace. The Accursed Mountains offer breathtaking natural scenery and great hiking opportunities in some of the last untamed natural locations and wilderness available in Europe.

This self guided walking holiday combines some great hikes in the Albanian Alps (Accursed Mountains), and the mountains of North Montenegro. The Albanian Alps trails will take you through the rugged peaks of the Accursed Mountains. The North Montenegro stage features two of the most untouched natural environments in Europe.

The Accursed Mountains Short Break is a 6 days (5 nights) tour for intrepid travellers who are eager to explore the highlights of the Albanian Alps on their own but have limited time. It combines scenic hikes in Valbona and Theth with the two most interesting cities on a 6-day tour.

On our Complete Albania Trek you will explore the hidden gems of South Albania and then move to the stunning Albanian Alps in the north. Discover the hidden valleys and trails of South Albania, then hike the Accursed Mountains offering breathtaking natural scenery and some of the last untamed natural locations and wilderness available in Europe.

This holiday includes circular hikes from the unique village of Shiroka Laka and includes the village of Gela, set in one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhodope mountains. The trip is mostly centre-based and features hand-picked accommodation in 4-star hotels spa hotels and finishes in a mineral water spa resort in Devin (known as the spa capital of Bulgaria).

Trace the footsteps of Orpheus through the mighty Devil’s Throat cave in the Tirgrad Gorge, said to be the mythical Hall of Hades, walk to Chaira Lakes and then take in the splendour of the Canyon of Waterfalls before moving to the comfort of your spa hotel.

This is a self-guided walking holiday in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria, appropriate for novices to walking holidays and all those who enjoy their vacations at a slower pace. Visit the impressive Buinovo Gorge, then hike to the Eagle’s Eye viewing platform offering spectacular views of the Rhodopean Range.

Dramatic Olympus, the Throne of Zeus and the highest mountain in Greece, is the highlight of this walking holiday. The first part of this route is a 4-day demanding but fantastic trek over the mystic mountain of Olympus. Continuing to the north you go off the beaten path across Mount Pieria east to west via Flambouro summit.

Take in two days of guided hikes in Meteora and walk among the gigantic monolithic pillars and rock monasteries to enjoy some truly breathtaking views. Then move to Pindos with its winding trails and stone bridges, finishing with a walk through the beautiful Vikos Gorge. Retreat every evening in elegant stone mansions in the villages along route.

Our Corfu Trail and Vikos Gorge moderate walking holiday in Greece combines the most picturesque sections of the Corfu Trail southern leg with a breathtaking walk through the Vikos Gorge, the world’s deepest Canyon and experiencing the enchanting 18th century stone villages and bridges of Zagori.

Our Vikos Gorge and the Stone Bridges of Zagori walking holiday in Greece allows you to immerse yourself in one of Greece’s greatest natural environments with spectacular views of Vikos Gorge, the worlds deepest Canyon and also experience the enchanting 18th century stone villages and bridges of Zagori. Retreat every evening in elegant hand picked stone mansions in the villages along route.

Walk through the impressive Vikos Gorge, the deepest canyon in the world. Reach the alpine zone up to the beautiful Dragon Lake and enjoy the spectacular views, then descend the famous cobbled path of Scala Vradetou, built in the 18th century. Retreat every evening in elegant hand-picked stone mansions in the traditional villages along the route.

The Via Dinarica is a mega trail that extends from Albania to Slovenia and traverses the largest karst field on earth. During this walking holiday, you will circle the great Buško Lake, ascend into Blidinje Nature Park and reach the town of Jablanica over Čvrsnica Mountain. The trip ends in the city of Mostar, famous for its Old Bridge – a jewel of oriental architecture.

Spend four days of walking in the national park of Lovcen, then descend to beautiful Perast, enjoying amazing views of the Bay of Kotor. After two overnights at a beautiful seaside hotel overlooking the Bay of Kotor, move to Dubrvonik and spend the next five days exploring the Dubrovnik coast and the islands of Mljet and Sipan.

The southern Dalmatian Coast is often referred to as the Jewel of the Adriatic. Discover the fascinating Old Town of Dubrovnik and the enchanting southern Dalmatian coastline and its islands. This tour will show you the natural beauty of the old villages in Konavle region, the Elaphite islands and the Mljet island national park.

On our Jewels of the Dalmatian Coast walking holiday you will enjoy an island hopping walking adventure along Croatia’s stunning Adriatic coast. Walk the cobbled streets of Split and the quiet trails of rural Dalmatia, then explore the island idyll of Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Mljet as well as the Pelješac peninsula, and finally reach the beautiful Dubrovnik.

Imagine walking through the green countryside full of vineyards, olive trees, rivers and forests, beautiful villages, and medieval towns situated on hills. The Trails and Wines of Istria walking holiday takes you to the heart of the unforgettable landscapes of Croatia and offers the chance to experience the delicious flavours of indigenous Istrian delicacies and wines.

The Trails of Istria short break will take you to the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia. Visit Hum, the smallest town in the world and experience the spirit of the past in Motovun and Grožnjan. To get to know the best of Istria, walk through Učka Natural Park and, finally, round off this green adventure with the delicious flavours of indigenous Istrian delicacies and wines.

This walking holiday along the Via Dinarica trail in Kosovo is a unique opportunity to explore one of the last hidden treasures of the European continent. The itinerary includes a climb to the top of Mount Gjeravica (the highest mountain in Kosovo) where you will have magnificent views of Montenegro and Albania. You will also enjoy short breaks in Prizren and Peja, two of the country’s oldest and most culturally diverse towns.

Spend four days of walking in the national park of Lovcen, then descend to beautiful Perast, enjoying amazing views of the Bay of Kotor. After two overnights at a beautiful seaside hotel overlooking the Bay of Kotor, move to Dubrvonik and spend the next five days exploring the Dubrovnik coast and the islands of Mljet and Sipan.

Our South Montenegro and Kotor Bay self guided walking holiday offers a truly wonderful itinerary which includes some of the best walks in Southern Montenegro, considered to be one of the most breathtaking areas in the whole of Eastern Europe. Accommodation is in a 4* hotel in Lovcen National Park and a lovely guesthouse in Perast.

Our Complete Montenegro Discovery 10-day walking holiday features the highlights of North and South Montenegro, including the beautiful Biogradska Gora – one of the last three primaeval rainforests in Europe, Durmitor National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site, Lovcen National Park, and the fjord-like Kotor Bay, one of the most breathtaking coastal areas in Europe.

The Summits and Lakes of North Montenegro walking holiday features two of the most beautiful untouched natural environments in Europe, including the exquisite natural wonder of Biogradska Gora, a UNESCO Biosphere reserve, one of the last three primeval rainforests in Europe, and Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This self guided walking holiday combines some great hikes in the Albanian Alps (Accursed Mountains), and the mountains of North Montenegro. The Albanian Alps trails will take you through the rugged peaks of the Accursed Mountains. The North Montenegro stage features two of the most untouched natural environments in Europe.

Old Montenegro and Boka Kotorska Bay strenuous itinerary includes some of the best walks in Southern Montenegro, considered to be one of the most breathtaking areas in the whole of Eastern Europe. Accommodation is at a 4*hotel in Lovcen National Park and a 4* seaside hotel in Perast.

South Montenegro and Kotor Bay (Easy to Moderate) centre-based self guided walking holiday offers a truly wonderful itinerary which includes some of the best easy to moderate walks in South Montenegro. You will stay in nice hotels situated along circular routes that give you the best scenery available of Lovcen National Park and Boka Kotorska Bay.

This is a short version of our Summits and Lakes of North Montenegro walking holiday which features two of the most beautiful untouched natural environments in Europe, including the exquisite natural wonder of Biogradska Gora, one of the last three primeval rainforests in Europe, and Durmitor National Park.

This is a shorter version of our moderate South Montenegro and Kotor Bay dual centre-based self guided walking holiday in Montenegro. It offers a truly wonderful itinerary which includes some of the best walks in South Montenegro, considered one of the most breathtaking coastal areas in Europe.

Our North Montenegro Activity Holiday combines six days of self guided walking in the beautiful Biogradska Gora and Durmitor national parks with four days of optional activities (kayaking, cycling, mountain biking, rafting) at a rafting camp located in the impressive Tara River Canyon.

Explore two mountains in Transylvania: Piatra Mare (Big Stone) Mountain and Piatra Craiului (King’s Stone) National Park at your own pace; then move to discover the beauty of the Danube Delta on a guided boat & hike tour. For a glimpse into medieval Transylvania, take a stroll around the old city of Brasov.

This trip starts near Balea Lake, a picturesque glacial lake at just over 2,000 m. For a spectacular view of the Fagaras, you will hike to one of the highest peaks in Romania. For a glimpse into medieval Transylvania and its towns with narrow, winding streets, you take a stroll around the medieval towns of Sibiu and Brasov.

Our Trails of the Apuseni Mountains walking holiday will let you explore a world of deep forests and silky meadows, impressive gorges and canyons, majestic waterfalls and fascinating caves in the lesser known parts of the Carpathian Range.

A self-guided walking holiday in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains in Romania. Explore the villages of rural Transylvania and the valleys of Piatra Craiululi and Bucegi Mountains. Piatra Craiului Mountains, with their narrow and saw-like ridges, are considered to be the most beautiful in the Carpathian mountains range.

This self guided walking holiday in Serbia will bring you to the impressive Djerdap Gorge where the Danube River flows surrounded by steep ridges. You will hike along the crest offering breathtaking views over the meandering Danube, make an optional boat tour on the Danube and visit some great natural attractions and historical monuments in the area.

Why Walking in the Balkans?

Nature

From the Carpathian mountains in the North to the region that stretches to the Black Mountains in the East, and from the Black Sea in the West, to the shores of the Aegean in the South. This part of the Old continent includes some of Europe’s most ancient and unspoiled natural environments. There are some of the continent’s oldest mountain ranges, last primaeval forests, glacial lakes, largest caves and unique natural rock phenomena. Europe’s largest canyon – Vikos Gorge (second only to the Grand Canyon), and the world-famous Danube river.

Ancient Culture

As Peter Duncan travelled through the area, he discovered its rich history, culture, and importance as a crossroads of civilisations and empires. Although sometimes perceived as the “New Europe” this part of the continent includes some of the most ancient countries and civilizations, being the one time home of: Ancient Greeks, Illyrians, Thracians, Romans, Alexander The Great, Spartacus, Saxons and parts of the Byzantine and Venetian, Austro Hungarian, and Ottoman empire.

The region is awash with myth and legend and abounds in archaeological sites, as well as ancient monasteries, fairytale castles, fortresses, museums, and galleries. Many rural areas still maintain their traditional customs and way of life, along with the warmth and hospitality for which the people have long been known. Folk singing and dancing play a large part in the region’s calendar. The participants in those events are often adopting their local costumes to take part in the festivals and rituals that have been a part of community life for centuries.

The region’s large number of accredited UNESCO natural and cultural world heritage sites have also assured its recognition on the world tourism stage.

Cuisine

The region is home to a beautiful mix of food and wine. From traditional Polish, Slovakian, and Romanian cuisine in the north, to Greek, Turkish, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern influences in the South. This part of Europe has a well-deserved reputation for diverse and distinctive cuisine. The region has been famed and respected for wine production since ancient times!

Climate

In addition to the spectacular nature, ancient culture, and excellent cuisine the area has a climate that ranges from continental in the north, to sub-tropical in the South. Offering long hours of sunshine, mild nights and some of the cleanest air in Europe.